Around Puno and Lake Titicaca

Following the highway Puno - Desaguadero, which skirts the Lake Titicaca, we will find:

Chucuito

Town located on the banks of Lake Titicaca, 18 Km (11 miles) south of Puno (15 minutes by car). During the Colony it was the headquarters of the "Cajas Reales" (Real Cash Desk). Among their colonial religious temples outstands the Asuncion's church (1601) located in the Main Square, of facade richly ornamented. Fish-farm station for the upbringing of trout that were introduced in the Lake Titicaca. This area was the old capital of the pre-Inca town of the aymaras Lupacas. Outside is located the altar of Inca Uyo, dedicated to the cult of the fertility. 5 minutes walking distance from the main square is located the "mirador" (observation point) where the stone arches is the perfect frame for a Lake Titicaca picture.

Juli

Located at 80 Km. (49.7 miles) southwest of Puno (1 hour and 20 minutes by car). Capital city of the Chucuito province, of Spanish foundation and known as the "Little Rome of America" or called the "Aymara Rome" due to the quantity and beauty of its churches. Juli was the main mission center of the Jesuits' during the Colony, for the conquest and during the evangelism of Paraguay, the land of the Mojos, Argentina and Bolivia. The city is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca, wool commercial center. Outstanding the churches of "San Juan El Bautista" (1590), "San Pedro Mártir", "Santa Cruz", and "Nuestra Señora de la Asunción" (1620), with beautiful paintings of the "Escuela Cusqueña" and Italian Styles.

Pomata

Located at 108 km. (67.1 miles) southwest of Puno, the city is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca, in the gulf of Pomata. Of Spanish foundation, it harbors beautiful colonail churches outstanding among those "Nuestra Señora del Rosario" and "Santiago Apóstol" (XVII century). It has an iamazing panoramic view of the lake and the Copacabana Peninsula. (Aymara voice "place of puma - cougar")

Yunguyo

Located at 134 km. (83.3 miles) southwest of Puno. Border city with Bolivia, outstanding their commercial fairs that are carried out every Sunday. It is the way to visit Copacabana and the Sun Island in Bolivia.

Wiñaymarca Archipelago – Anapia Island
128 Km (80 miles) from Puno (2 hours and 30 minutes by car) you reach Yunguyo. From there keep driving to the Port of Punta Hermosa (30 minutes) and take a motor boat to Anapia Island 18 km / 11 miles (2 hours and 30 minutes). Located in the Wiñaymarca Lake or "Minor Lake" of the Lake Titicaca complex, the island archipelago is inhabited by people who maintain their native customs, fishing being one of their main activities. There are ecological plots of native flora unique to the region, abundant fauna, and sand and pebble beaches. Yuspique Island, the biggest of the archipelago, is used by the people of Anapia to breed vicuñas. You can see crops, vicuña breeding grounds, and archeological remnants, as well as practice trekking, try typical lunches, go on boat rides, and listen to folkloric music. The local customs are rich and the most outstanding include the Challa, or payment to the earth, the Casarasiri, the town traditional marriage ceremony that lasts three days with the participation of the entire community, and the Rutuchi, or "hair cut", given to newborns in the presence of their godfathers who usually give money as a gift.

Desaguadero

Located at 148 km. (83.3 miles) southwest of Puno. Border city with Guaqui (Bolivia), and traditional highway pass used to travel between Peru and Bolivia. It is the way to visit the archaeological complex of Tiahuanaco in Bolivia.

By the highway that travels toward the north of Puno, we find:

Juliaca

Located at 44 Km. (27.34 miles) north of Puno. Capital city of the province of San Román, its economic activity is centered in trading, here is located the Manco Cápac airport. Among its attractiveness outstands the church of "Santa Catalina", the Temple of "La Merced" and the convent of "Los Franciscanos". Train and bus stations. Hub of the main higways in Puno.

Llachón

74 Km (46 miles) northeast of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca (2 hours by car).
This community of around 1300 inhabitants still maintains its customs and native cultural manifestations, and its main activities are farming, cattle breeding, fishing, and handicraft. Llachon can be reached by motorboat from Puno harbor and from the Islands of Taquile and Amantani or by land from Puno or Juliaca. The place offers experimental tourism, "living tourism", allowing visitors to stay with families of the community.

Lampa

Located at 80 Km (50 miles) north of Puno (1 hour and 30 minutes by car). Lampa is the capital of the province, and it is known as the "Pink City" for the color of its walls. There, you find vast forests of queñua trees, Puya Raimondis, and chinchilla breeding grounds among other attractions. Outstanding Santiago Apostle's church with beautiful facade like an altarpiece and in its interior is harbored a replica of the sculpture of Miguel Angel "La Piedad". It is the best replica in the world, and it was studied by the investigators and restorers of the original one when it was damaged some years ago for its restoration.

Pucara

107 Km (66 miles) north of Puno (1 hour and 45 minutes by car).
Pucara is famous for its pottery, especially the well-known "Toritos de Pucara" (Little Bulls of Pucara). The Pucara Stone Museum, displaying a group of stone monolith-like sculptures, steles, zoomorphic sculptures, ceramics, and other objects, is also worth a visit. Archaeological complex of Kalasaya. (Photos of Pucara - Museum and Churc)